Bale kept the faith in Madrid team mates

25 May 2014 02:12

Gareth Bale insisted that he and his team-mates always believed they could come back to win the Champions League, despite being behind for most of the final in Lisbon.

After Diego Godin put Atletico in front nine minutes before half time, Diego Simeone's side looked destined to get their hands on the trophy but Sergio Ramos popped up in the 93rd minute to send it to extra-time.

The crucial moment came five minutes into the second period of extra-time when Bale himself nodded home at the far post after good work from Angel di Maria. Disappointingly for Atletico, they collapsed after that, with Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo making it 4-1 to take the title back to the Bernabeu.

"For us when we play our own football we win matches and it was literally just about attacking and keep doing what we do best," Bale told Sky Sports 1.

"We believe in that and we believed if we kept doing that we would win."

During normal time it looked like being a frustrating evening for Bale, with the former Spurs winger missing three decent opportunities, but the Welshman was pleased to see his efforts rewarded in the end.

"I've learned from past experience to just keep going, forget about the chances you've missed, and keep persevering. Thankfully I got the decisive goal," he added.

"It was great to see it go in."

With the Champions League triumph rounding off his first year at Real Madrid, following his world record Â£85million move last summer, the 24-year-old now has an appetite for more success.

"I came here to play in big competitions and win trophies. We want to win more now," he said.

"This is what every footballer dreams of and it doesn't get any bigger in club football."